He knows he is feeling good about the matchup, as familiarity does lead to a sense of comfort. Cedric Jones, though, stops short of declaring in advance that his battle tomorrow afternoon with Roman Oben is going to be a one-sided victory.

Jones at defensive end takes on Oben at left tackle as the Giants look to build a four-game winning streak at the expense of the struggling Browns in Cleveland. Jones and Oben practiced against each other for the past four years, ever since the two were selected by the Giants two rounds apart in the 1996 NFL draft. They both are professional, fairly quiet gentleman who will engage in physical combat, for real, for the first time.

“I think I’m confident, and if I was in his position I’d be confident because he thinks he knows me,” Jones said. “I think we both should be going into this game confident.”

Finding an edge is difficult, if not impossible. Reports out of Cleveland are that Oben is playing fine, not great, not terrible. The Browns have only allowed 14 sacks – they gave up 60 last season – and Oben has been credited for some of the improvement. Oben this week sent word he did not have time in his schedule to respond to an interview request.

It says something about the Browns (2-7) that they have three players starting at key positions who were employed last season by the Giants, and that the Giants were not exactly despondent when all three left town and signed on in Cleveland.

Such is the way of life for second-year expansion teams. They must make do and fill up their rosters with castoffs, but rarely do three players from one team settle down in a new venue and then get the chance the following season to all go against their former team.

Receiver David Patten spent three years with the Giants; free safety Percy Ellsworth spent four. Both were undrafted free agents who did well to stick in the NFL and both had some bright moments with the Giants.

Oben’s story is more intriguing. He was a third-round draft pick in 1996, and the past three years started every game for the Giants at left tackle. When he became a free agent, though, the Giants made an effort to re-sign him, but at the price they determined. Oben thought he was worth more than the $3 million annual salary the Giants offered, and he was also upset with reports that the Giants, who had already signed Lomas Brown, were considering moving him inside to guard. When the Browns came up with a better deal, Oben reluctantly left the Giants.

No doubt, this will be an emotional outing for Oben. The Giants recall last season, when Oben found himself as the center of attention the week they were to face the Colts and Chad Bratzke, their former defensive end. Oben was geared up for the challenge and played a strong game, holding Bratzke without a sack.

“I know his mindset – I know he’s going to get up for this game,” Jones said. “I remember when Chad left and he got up, he was ready the whole week and played great against Chad. I know he’s going to come in the same this week.”

Jones does not head into this confrontation providing any indication that big things are about to happen. His promising season a year ago (career-high 7.5 sacks, plus a team-high five forced fumbles) has not carried over to this season. Jones, bothered by a sprained thumb, has 32 tackles but only 1.5 sacks and has not forced any fumbles.

Perhaps seeing his former practice partner across the line will spark Jones. Both Oben and Jones rely on speed and technique rather than sheer size and strength, and both figure to know the moves of the other.

“I looked at film this whole week and he pretty much looks the same way,” Jones said. “His technique hasn’t changed.”

Jones anticipates he will have to come up with a new plan for Oben and is the process of formulating that plan.

“I got to try to do some things I usually don’t do.” Jones said. “It will probably be more of a chess match, and if I do some things that are uncharacteristic of what I usually do nine times out of 10, that’s going to catch him off guard.”